Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-06
IN EMERGENCIES.
WHAT TO DO WHEN A BLOOD
VESSEL IS INJURED

In Cases of Hemorrhage More Apprehen-
sion is Excited Than is Warranted
How to stop Bleeding from Arteries
and yeins--vaiuable Advice.
When prof,,se hemorrhage from wounded
blood vessel occurs, the behoder, be he friend
or stranger, is in many instances so terror
stricken he looses all presence OF mind, and
thus many lives have been sacrificed which
might have been saved by timely interven-
ton. In nearly all cases of hemorrhage much
more apprehension is excited than warranted
The amount of blood actually lost is generally
much oyerestimated There is a common
expression, IA little blood makes great
show This is quite true; for small guam
tity will soil much clothing, and but little
need be added to basin OF water to render
it very high colored.
1t is well to remember that one-eighth of
the weight of the human body is blood; in
other words, that, in person of average
size, there are from sixteen to eighteen pints.
In health, pint-even quartet blood can
be withdrawn from the vessels without in
Jury, and doubtless in but few cases would
loss of one-third the entire amount contained
in the body prove fatal From this statement
it must not be Inferred that when hemorrhage
occurs treatment may be leisureiy applied; far
from it, The bleeding should i'll all cases be
Immediately arrested if possible. The reader
should know, however, how great a loss can
be sustained, without life being threatened,
for it is often fear Of immediate death that Is
terrorizing and renders one powerless in such
emergencies.
ARTERIES AID VEINS.
An artery is known to have been wounded
when blood of a bright red color spurts out
in jets, corresponding to the beats of the
pulse. III vein is opened, dark red blood
flows from the wound in "a steady stream
Bleeding from wounded arteries is in nearly
all instances by far the most dangerous.
In cases of hemorrhage at all profuse, firm
pressure should be instantly made directly
upon tho bleeding part. The next step to
take will depend upon the situation and
character of the wound If the injury is on
either of the limbs and is severe, it is ALWAYS
well to have the patient placed fiat on his
back and the injured member elevated and
supported by an assistant. During this pro-
cedure the bleeding must be prevented By
unrelaxed pressure.
II a small artery has been cut, it will be
known by the size of the jet which spurts out
when the wound was received. In such cases
bandaging directlYnTer tho wound will often
control the hemorrhage A pad should be
made little larger than the cut, by folding
or rolling firmly piece OF CLOTH This, when
ready, should be placed over the wound. the
fingers which have previously grasped it be-
ing quickly lifted up for the purpose, and as
quickly should they renew their pressure on
the pad. Over this handage can then be
applied, piece of sheet, three or four inches
wide and six feet long, being used.
Ii the bleeding has entirely ceased, to we,
and keep the bandage saturated with colo
water and the limb supported is all thai
there remains to do. II, however, the bleed
ing persists, then the treatment to be advised
when large artery is wounded must be EN-
pioyed- In such cases no attempt should b,
made to permanently arrest the hemorrhag
by bandaging the wound, but between it ant
the body, around the limb, firm bandags
twisted handkerchief, large cord or a piec
Of rubber tubing should be drawn tiChtl,
and tied in knot, to shut off the supply O
blood. Not until this is effectually don
should pressure of the fingers on the bleedin:
part be relaxed.
SIMPLE LAW EXPLAINED,
In cases where the wound is large, and sew
eral small arteries are opened, and pressur
with the finger does not control the bleeding
then the hgature should be applied above tn
injury. Bleeding from sinall veins is gener
ally easily controlled by bandaging over tn
wound. When, however, important vessel
are opened, as is sometimes the case with or
elarged veins of the leg, then the blood shout
be cut off from the bleeding part by Tight
bandaging, not between it and the bods, bu
between the wound and the extremity. Thi
simple law may easily be explained; th
blood goes to the extremities through Ii
arteries, but returns through the veins.
To control hemorrhage in some situation
is more difficult than in others. II a lare
artery is opened above the knee or elbow it
doubtful il a bandage can be drawn Tight
enough to cut off thesblood between Il
wound and the body without improvising
tourniquet. To do this is easy, however. .
common handkerchief can be tied loosel
around the leg or arm, and the slack take
up by twisting with a cane or stick until sui
ficient pressure is exerted to prevent the pa
Y
i1r. Hope is well worth remembering: "a
You be by yourself in the fields, and get
severe cut with scythe, or in any sudde
emergency, such as a railroad accident Us
the remedy which has saved many life o
the field of battle Take handful of DIR
earth, put this on the wound and gras
tightly till you call for assistance"
As previously stated, in nearly all cases
hemorrhage from wounds there is no uece
sity for the alarm often shown, especial
as fear perverts the Judgment of those VIII
could much more serve tho true interests {
the sufferer by keeping cool and collected
OF course, in all emergencies a physical
should be Immediately sent for. II IL
bleeding is controlled by pressure of the fl
gers, all other operations which follow ca
be done leisurely, as there is no urgent has,
and none should be INDUCED in--Journal
Health.